Travertine Sealers

Travertine is a sedimentary rock. When pure, travertine is quite white, but usually it at least partially patterned and coloured in shades from light yellows to browns, from impurities in the stone. Travertine is also full of pits. These can be left or filled with a sutiable colour-matched putty.

Travertine is typically formed from mineral deposits (usually calcite) in mineral springs or hot springs, or streams saturated with calcium carbonate. When it is very porous, Travertine is known as calcarious ‘tuff’.

Sealing Travertine

All travertine is highly porous – a tablespoon of water on a travertine surface will be absorbed in seconds, although it does vary in porosity from piece to piece. Porosity is also affected by its finish – highly polished travertine with all the holes filled is less porous than travertine with a honed (matt) finish.

Due to its high porosity it is particularly important for travertine to be sealed with a high quality impregnating sealer which will not affect its slip resistance or look. It is very difficult to seal travertine against acid attack. Travertine is used both outdoors and indoors, and Dry-Treat’s premium impregnating sealers will seal travertine equally well in either.

Protection from Acid Etching

Travertine, and other calcite based stone such as marble and limestone have an additional vulnerability – they are prone to acid etching. Travertine will be immediately ‘etched’ (eaten / corroded) by any acidic material immediately on contact – including lemon juice, cola, wine and champagne. For this reason the honed (matt) look is popular, as it doesn’t show etch marks as much as polished travertine. In any case, acidic substances should be cleaned up as soon as possible, and travertine should not be used outdoors in areas where there is acid rain.

Which Dry-Treat™ Sealer is Best for my Travertine?

STAIN-PROOF Original™ or META CRÈME™

Permanent, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer for water and salt, PLUS premium oil stain protection.15 year warranty when sealing is performed by an Accredited Applicator.

DRY-TREAT 40SK™

Permanent, invisible, fully breathable impregnating sealer for water and salt protection, plus surface consolidation. particularly popular for sealing limestone in a saltwater environment – such as around a salt water swimming pool.

ENHANCE-PLUS™

For colour enrichment PLUS water based stain protection. 5 year warranty when sealing is performed by an Accredited Applicator.

Plus STAIN-PROOF Original™ or META CREME™ for additional oil protection at least 24 hours after ENHANCE-PLUS™.

Pre-sealing Preparation

1) Any surface to be sealed should be clean and looking just as you want it before it is sealed – it may be impossible to remove stains after sealing.

2) The surface must be freed waxes or other topical coatings. Any such existing coating must be removed prior to treating with a Dry-Treat sealer.

3) Ensure the material is thoroughly dry before applying any Dry-Treat sealer.

HANAFINN Oxy-Klenza™ is a highly effective, heavy-duty cleaner which is safe to use on most types of porous surface. HANAFINN X-Duty Graffiti Kleena™ may also be used for stubborn stains.

PLEASE NOTE:

1) Always test any cleaning chemical or sealer on a small, inconspicuous area of the surface 24 hours before doing the project, to check that it will produce the desired result. This is especially important with ENHANCE-PLUS™ to ensure the colour enhancement is what you want.

2) Always ensure the surface is completely dry before proceeding with sealing.